Microplastics

Microplastics

Since the 1950’s, 9.2 billion tons of plastic have been produced – which is equivalent to the

weight of 1,600 great pyramids in Egypt. Most of these plastics end up as trash. However,

single-use plastics like plastic bags, straws, and packaging products are more harmful because

they are often not recycled. Plastics are not biodegradable, but instead, break down into tiny

pieces of plastic called microplastics. Even synthetic fibers from clothes and beads found in

personal hygiene products are forms of plastic. Microplastics are found in our ocean which

marine animals often mistake as food, which then travels up the food chain. It is estimated that

the average American adult consumes about 126 to 142 microplastics a day, and inhales about

132 to 170.

How you can help:

Reduce the amount of single-use plastics that you use!

Tedx Talk on microplastics:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjsrmFUmyh4

References:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/06/microplastics-spread-throughout-dee

p-sea-monterey-canyon/